Page 13 of Santa's Cummin' to Town

“Has that been an issue now?”

“No, but I guess the fear is in what will happen when the newness of us being back together wears off. Will we still put forth the effort that we are now?”

“NoNo, you’re going to ruin the gift of your time with him in the present worrying about what may or may not happen in the future. The past is no more, and the future is not yet. All we have is right now. The gift of this day. You know Hendrix’s character, and you know what the both of you are capable of. If you are this worried about things not working in the future, end things now. But if you have any confidence that you two can make this work, you’ve got to feel that fear and do it anyway until you have the strength and confidence to release it altogether.”

“Thanks, Ma.” Nobu smiled and gave her mother a hug. Their talk had given her the relief she needed.

“Always, baby.”

Mila made her way back to her side of the table just as their waitress returned with a fresh basket of biscuits, and as Nobu picked one up, she was happy that her appetite was beginning to return.

* * *

“I like beingable to end the night with you instead of going to sleep alone,” Nobu said as she rubbed coconut oil into her hands.

Earlier, they’d gone to seeHow the Grinch Stole Christmaslive, then came back and wrapped gifts for their families while listening to Christmas music. Between the happiness of the moment and the tequila spiked hot apple cider, Nobu would have probably begged Hendrix to stay the night with her if he was still staying at the hotel.

“I’m not looking forward to going back to Austin,” was Hendrix’s reply as he coated his chest with Vaseline.

“Well, maybe you can work something out with your schedule. Do you have to be there physically to secure recruits? Or can you have meetings from anywhere?”

“Honestly, I can do the meetings over the phone or computer, but this company has a reputation for spoiling their clients and potential recruits. A lot of time and money is spent with these meetings to give the recruits a taste of what’s in store if they sign on. So if I did try and work in a different state, I would have to fly back to Austin a lot, unless I started working at the Memphis location.”

Nobu couldn’t contain her grin no matter how hard she tried.

Trying to hide her excitement, Nobu didn’t reply right away. She waited until she had her silk bonnet on, and they were snuggling against one another in bed to say, “I wouldn’t want you to uproot yourself on account of me, but I would love it if you came back home, Hendrix. I know you’d have to get your affairs in order there, but… I want my husband back.”

Nobu felt the moment he stopped breathing. When his heartbeat returned, Hendrix told her to, “Say that again, Bu.”

She giggled softly. “I want my husband back.”

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” Hendrix confessed, tilting her head and connecting their lips. But she did know, because she had been waiting just as long to say it.

ChapterEight

Hendrix

It was the last Thursday before Christmas, and though Hendrix had enjoyed being Santa and interacting with the kids, he was glad he didn’t have to put the suit on anymore after that night. As happy as he was to get out of the suit after the last child left the sanctuary, Hendrix stayed seated at the sight of Nobu walking down the aisle to him. Her smile was comfortable, expression as confident as always. Her and those damn dimples. Hendrix couldn’t get enough of her.

Nobu casually made her way onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck in the process.

“What would you like for Christmas, Nobu?” Hendrix asked again, just like the first evening he’d seen her there.

“You,” she replied, and that was a gift they’dbothbe able to share.

“Yeah?” Hendrix confirmed before licking his lips and looking down at hers.

“Yes, Henny.”

Chuckling, he scratched his jaw, gaze unfocused from disbelief. This was all he’d wanted. All he needed. Hendrix helped Nobu to stand, then he sat her down in his seat. Kneeling in front of her, Hendrix took Nobu’s hand into his.

“Hendrix…”

“When I accepted the assignment to come back home, I prayed and asked God to give you back to me if He trusted me with you. As an act of faith, I had your ring updated, and I said I would bring it home with me.” Hendrix pulled the ring box out of his pocket. “I’ve had this ring with me every day this month, waiting for you to surrender to me and trust me again. Now that you have…” Hendrix opened the box, and at the sight of the four-carat cushion cut diamond ring, Nobu gasped then whimpered.

“No you fucking didn’t.”

“Shut your mouth,” Hendrix demanded through his chuckle. “Don’t be cursing in this church.”

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